A major facet of homesteading is preparation. Emergencies happen, crops fail, animals pass away, and costs pop up. Regardless, bills will need to be paid and mouths will need to be fed. So how does one make themselves ready for anything? This is a hard question to perfectly answer. The truth is, ‘anything,’ is difficult to prepare for, but there’s lots of ways to build stockpiles and make contingency plans for if anything were to go wrong. Afterall, planning can help in lots of different ways, not only in the case of an emergency. Stored veggies can be enjoyed year-round, even if they aren’t in season. Jams and dried goods can be pulled out during the winter, or whenever cooking isn’t an option. The nature of a homesteader fits comfortably next to that of a prepper: rely on yourself, be prepared, and reduce how much you consume and depend on outside sources.
Times of drought, hard freeze, or unexpected temperatures can all wreak havoc on any field. Unlike large-scale industrial farms however, a small field that’s only meant to feed you and your family can have much more direct impacts if it's damaged or diseased. That’s why its recommended to plant a little more than you expect to need right away, and to save/preserve whatever possible for use again in the future. With canning, freezing, dehydrating, and freeze-drying, there are so many ways to safely, and easily, store food. Additionally, what you plant also has a major impact on how prepared you are for bumps in the road. Some plants are hardier and more durable than others. Particularly fussy and delicate plants may suffer in less-than-ideal conditions.
Many hardcore preppers suggest maintaining a stockpile suited for over a year of survival without any outside resources or help. While this may be a lot to accomplish, it is a positive goal to shoot for, and can be a huge boon in a worst-case scenario. To do this, it’s important to keep track of what your family needs to survive.
- How much food does your family consume each week? What do you use for meals, and how often? What about spices, condiments, and other extras?
- How much water does your family use? Where is the water being consumed? Are you using a lot of water for showers, dishes, laundry, etc.?
- How much electricity is your family using? Make a list of everything in your house or on your property that requires electricity.
- Where is your money going right now? Where are you dependent solely on outside sources?
